Sean P. Costello U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Alabama
Two men from Baldwin County, Alabama, have been sentenced to federal prison for trafficking methamphetamine and illegally possessing firearms as convicted felons. Boniface Denton Buchanan, 56, received a sentence of 235 months, while Samuel Earl Crook, Jr., 43, was sentenced to 60 months.
Court documents state that Buchanan and Crook distributed large amounts of methamphetamine in north Baldwin County between May and November 2023. Narcotics agents used confidential informants to purchase drugs from both men on several occasions. These controlled buys led agents to obtain federal search warrants for their residences in Bay Minette.
On November 8, 2023, agents executed the warrants. When they arrived at Buchanan’s home, he attempted to flee but was subdued by law enforcement. Agents found methamphetamine and a loaded shotgun inside his house. Buchanan admitted he had prior felony convictions making it illegal for him to possess the firearm. When questioned by agents, Buchanan said: “I’ll do my time.” His cell phone contained evidence related to drug trafficking.
At Crook’s residence the same day, he told agents about having methamphetamine, MDMA, and blue “Roxy” pills in his trailer; these were recovered by law enforcement. Crook also admitted selling several pounds of methamphetamine with Buchanan. During the search of his trailer and truck, officers found a 9mm pistol in his bedroom and a loaded shotgun along with more than $33,000 in cash—money which Crook acknowledged came from drug sales. He also confirmed he was not allowed to possess guns due to previous felony convictions.
United States District Judge Terry F. Moorer imposed sentences of 235 months for Buchanan and 60 months for Crook. Both will serve five-year supervised release terms after their prison sentences during which they will undergo drug testing and treatment requirements. The court ordered them each to pay $400 in special assessments but did not impose additional fines; their firearms and cash were forfeited to the United States.
U.S. Attorney Sean P. Costello announced the sentences.
The investigation involved the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Roller prosecuted the case.
This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative created under Executive Order 14159: Protecting the American People Against Invasion—a collaborative effort among multiple agencies targeting criminal cartels and transnational organizations operating within or affecting U.S borders through coordinated law enforcement actions.
